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GoFundMe fundraising
campaign has been started to honor the memory of a Westchester teenager who was bullied in high school and later took her own life.

Nearly $17,000 has been raised in just two days on behalf of Julianna Carraturo, a former Tuckahoe High School student attending SUNY Cortland committed suicide last month after allegedly being bullied by fellow students.

The proceeds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be donated to The Kind Campaign, “an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl bullying through their global movement, documentary film, in-school assemblies and educational curriculums.”

According to the organizers of the
fundraising
effort, “during her junior year of high school, Julianna was berated endlessly by a group of students whom ultimately ruined her self-image.”

“Julianna’s life seemingly turned around when she started to attend SUNY Cortland and met a wonderful group of friends,” the
GoFundMe
page says. “To everyone around her the pain had been erased but we were all mistaken. As happy as Julianna seemed on the outside, the pain on the inside was still too great. Even if you apologize for shattering a glass, the glass remains broken.”

“There are many factors that contribute to a person’s risk for suicide and its repercussions do not discriminate. Suicide is one of the most common, yet unspoken-about subjects. To people of all ages, remember words hurt. Be conscientious of what you say and treat people with the respect you would like to receive. To parents, remind your children to be kind, for your children are a reflection of you.”